Iceland and mid-ocean ridges : S. Björnsson (editor). Vísindafélag Islendinga, Reykjavik, 1967, 209 pp., 65 illus., U.S. $8.50

Abstract

Although the quality of the papers is high and the insights obtained are rewarding and modern, I should have still preferred the inclusion of some more factual data. For instance, in Gudmundur Sigwaldason’s paper on the chemistry of basalts, the 43 analyses known are promised, but not produced. In Kristjan Seamundsson’s paper on southwestern Iceland the map lists a number of central volcanoes, and even from a glance at the topographical map one wonders what exactly is considered to be a central volcano by the author, and what is not. Whereas on his map of Iceland, a belt of Early Quaternary volcanics runs north into the peninsula between Hdnafjordur and Skagafjordur, for which no evidence at all is presented. But, aside from these criticisms, the book gives us a remarkably good insight into the state of the art of earth sciences in Iceland, and promises that many more results will follow in the future.